The Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi (RC糖心视频) honored 15 employees for their exceptional contributions at the 2026 RC糖心视频 Awards Luncheon held on October 30, at East-West Center’s Imin Conference Center.
Whether it’s strengthening Hawaiʻi‘s agriculture, pushing the boundaries of cancer research, exploring the world’s oceans, or supporting astronomy, RC糖心视频 employees are essential to groundbreaking discoveries at the 糖心视频 and beyond.
2026 award winners
Researcher/Project Manager
First place: , 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补 College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resilience
Slanzon immersed herself in biomedical research and soil microbiology, using her analytical expertise to help researchers identify which microbes contribute to healthier soils. She also led the research, planning and installation of a new agroforest for the Soil Microbial Ecology Lab.
Second place: , 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补 College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resilience
Paudel studies soil health and sustainable approaches to managing agricultural pests in CTAHR‘s Sustainable Pest Management Lab. To better understand nematodes—microscopic roundworms—he taught himself new molecular techniques and incorporated DNA-based analysis into the lab’s research.
Honorable mentions:
- —MSTARS, Maui High Performance Computing Center
- —Healthy Diet and Lifestyle Study II, SPORE P20, 糖心视频 Cancer Center
Project Support Staff Category
First place (Tie): , 糖心视频 Cancer Center
Since joining the Shepherd Research Lab in 2018, Liu has led the Body Composition Laboratory while supporting multiple research studies. Her expertise has also taken her around the world. Liu traveled to three African nations to train technologists and cross-calibrate equipment for an international pediatric HIV study. A similar effort conducted remotely took about 18 months; Liu completed the on-site work in just four weeks.
First place (Tie): , 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补 John A. Burns School of Medicine
Mikami supports nearly every part of the SimTiki Simulation Center—from processing faculty appointments and managing international scholar programs to preparing course materials and providing simulation support. She helps scholars navigate J-1 visa requirements, ensures required documentation is in place and coordinates each step of the process.
Team Category
First place: (Elizabeth Steffen, Hristina Hristova, John Lyman)
At NOAA‘s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research employees Hristova, Lyman and Steffen help manage data from more than 1,500 Argo floats (equipped with multiple sensors), while also supporting approximately 75 to 100 float deployments each year. Each team member plays a critical role in maintaining high-quality observations that capture temperature and salinity profiles from the ocean surface to depths of 2,000 meters.
Second place: (James Tom, Courtney Chun)
In a profession known for high turnover and workforce instability, Tom and Chun have provided years of continuity, expertise and leadership for the Clinical Trials Office. With more than 30 years at the 糖心视频 Cancer Center, Tom is a trusted resource for addressing and communicating clinical and research questions. Chun works closely with patients and hospital partners while coordinating studies across multiple clinical sites.
Honorable mentions:
- (Shaoliang Li, Kuan-Yu Liu)
- (James Ferreira, Michael Kerns), National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
“Every day, research teams throughout Hawaiʻi are working to advance knowledge, address important challenges and make a positive difference in our communities,” said RC糖心视频 Executive Director Leonard Gouveia. “This year’s awardees represent the extraordinary range of talent across a variety of research fields—from soil health and cancer studies to medical simulation and global ocean observing. We are proud to recognize their expertise, dedication, and the vital role they play in driving innovation forward.”
